Book 8
3.32
Of the coining of words by expansion and inflexion we have examples, such as the Ciceronian De Nat. D. I. xxxiv. 95. beatitas and beatitudo, forms which he feels to be somewhat harsh, though he thinks they may be softened by use. Derivatives may even be fashioned from proper names, quite apart from ordinary words, witness Sullaturit a Att. IX. x. 6. Desires to be a second Sulla. in Cicero and Fimbriatus and Figulatus Metamorphosed into Figulus. Presumably refers to Clusinius Figulus, see VII. ii. 26. in Asinius.
3.33
Many new words have been coined in imitation of the Greeks, See II. xiv. 2. more especially by Verginius Flavus, some of which, such as queens and essentia, are regarded as unduly harsh. But I see no reason why we should treat them with such contempt, except, perhaps, that we are highly self-critical and suffer in consequence from the poverty of our language. Some new formations do, however, succeed in establishing themselves.
